Garment press



Nov. 19, 1929. J. o. VON STETTEN ET AL 1,736,296

GARMENT PRESS I Original Filed Jan. 2, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 19, 1929.

J. o. VON STETTEN ET AL 1,736,296

GARMENT PRESS Original Filed Jan. 2, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 19, 1929. J. o. VON STETTEN ET AL 6,

GARMENT PRESS Original Filed Jan. 2, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet s M Wham M/ zzi/wy M owe JULIUS OTTO VON STETTEN AND OTTO U.

Patented Nov. 19, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOFMANN, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYL- VANIA, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE PROSPERITY COMPANY, INC.,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK GARMENT PRESS Application filed January 2, 1924, Serial No. 683,933. Renewed September 22, 1928.

This invention relates to garment pressing machines and more particularly to improved means for handling the garments before and after pressing.

Heretofore in the operation of machines of this nature, the operatives time has been divided between two separate and distinct operations: (1st) the locating of the garments in the machine in a position to be pressed and (2nd) in the actual pressing of the garment.

This invention has for an object to provide improved means. for handling the garments so that during the time one lot of garments is being pressed the operator, instead of remaining idle, may be preparing the next lot ready for insertion in the pressing machine. With these operations so combined both the pressing machine and the attendant are kept constantly in operation thereby greatly increasing production and proportionately reducing the cost thereof.

The invention has for a further object to combine with a pressing machine a plurality of work-holders so constructed and arranged that the placing of one of the work-holders in the machine automatically removes another work-holder from the machine and shifts the garment forms carried thereby into position to receive unpressed garments.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for delivering garments to a pressing machine and subsequently removing them therefrom, which is simple in construction, eificient in operation and which may readily be applied to pressing machines now in commercial use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and convenient means for adjustably and removably securing the garment forms to their carriers whereby they may be turned to permit of inspection of both sides of the garment thereon and also permit of ready removal and replacement by a form of different contour.

These and other objects have been attained by providing a plurality of garment holding units and slidably mounting them upon a suitable track in front of the upper and lower pressing members. Each of these units comprises a plurality of hinged and swiveled garments are placed prior to the unit being shifted into pressing position. These units are so arranged that as one unit is. shifted between the pressing members it automatically removes the unit then between the members. As the unit is removed from the machine the garment forms thereof are automatically shifted into an elevated position for the removal of the pressed garments and the reception of a new lot to be pressed in a sub sequent operation.

Other objects and advantages will be in part indicated in the following description and in part rendered apparent therefrom in connection with the annexed drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to apprehend the underlying features hereof that they may embody the same in the various ways contemplated by this invention, draw 'ings depicting a preferred typical construcmachine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a left end view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the line 44 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail plan of the left end of-Fig. 2 showing a one means for elevating the garment forms when the garment-holding unit is removed from the machine.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the invention is disclosed in combination with a commercial form of pressing machine comprising the usual frame 1 which supports the fixed lower pressing member 2 and the hinged upper pressing member 3. These members may be heated in any suitable manner such as for example by steam, which may be led to the members by piping p. The upper member may be hinged to the frame at 4. and balanced by a counter-weight w. A treadle-lever t fulcrumed upon the frame at 5 and a handle it afford convenient means for raising and lowering the upper presser ferring device comprises a track 7 extending lengthwise of the machine forwardly of the pressing members, and a plurality of garment holding units 8 slidably supported thereon. These units, two being shown, are located end-to-end and so connected together that when one is shifted laterally the adjacent one is likewise shifted. Each of these units comprises a carriage 9 slidably supported upon the track and provided with one or more garment forms 7.

For some purposes it is preferable to construct the carriage as a plurality of spaced members each of which is supported upon the track as by means of a roller 11. These members may conveniently be formed with depending arms 12 and 13 adapted to straddle the track to preventoverturning of the carriage. The lower ends of these arms prefera ly carry anti-friction rollers 14 which serve to guide the carriage in its travel on the track.

Within each of the carriages is preferalby journaled a rod as 15 to which is fixed one or more garment forms 7 upon which the garment 9 is placed to be pressed. In the drawings the garment holding units are shown as provided with a plurality of forms particuarly adapted for the pressing of hose but it is to be understood that this invention also contemplates the use of Various other garment forms which may be supported either singly or in series upon the units 8.

The garment forms are preferably connected to the rods 15 by means of swivel joints which permit the forms to be rotated for the purpose of inspection and adjustment of the garment thereon. The swivel connection between the rods and the garment-forms may conveniently comprise a shank 16 fixed upon the rod and a head 16 rotatably secured thereto as by means of a bolt 17. The head 16 is preferably formed with clamp jaws 18 and 19 adapted upon manipulation of clampscrews 20 to grip and retain the shanks of the garment forms f. This affords a convenient means of removably securing the garmentforms to the carriages. The rods 15 are each provided with a hand grasp 15 which afl'ord convenient means for manually oscillating the rods to elevate the garment forms for the purpose of inspection, etc.

The track 7 is preferably supported by the frame work of the machine as by means of a bracket 21 and brace members 22. These members may also support trays 23 adapted to hold the garments to be pressed, and suitable tables 24 to receive the garments after they have been pressed and removed from the forms.

Means are provided for automatically elevating the garment forms when the unit has been withdrawn from the pressing machine. This means preferably comprises cam members 25 and 26 located at opposite ends of the track and adapted to engage rollers carried by rock-arms 27 and 28 projecting laterally from the rods 15. Counter-balance spring 8, attached at one end to arms a projecting from the rods 15 and at the other end to the carriage, act in conjunction with the cam members to elevate the garment forms.

The two rods 15 are connected together by means of a coupling 15 which holds the rods against relative endwise movement and yet permits of a relative turning movement so that each garment holding unit may be elevated independently. To prevent the garment forms from swinging downwardly as they are shifted-laterally off of the lower presser member the carriages 9 are preferably provided with an ofi-set support 29 upon which the shanks of the forms may rest. In the pressing of some garments, such as underwear which are comparatively heavy, it is desirable also to provide a support for the forms adjacent their free ends to prevent the forms from sagging under the weight of the garment. A support of this nature is shown comprising a bar 30 projecting laterally from each side of the lower presser member and secured upon upright legs 31 at substantially the same height as the track 29.

As shown in Fig. 2 the garment forms are preferably perforated as indicated at :21. These perforations serve the double purpose of permitting the escape of steam from the a garment which materially quickens the drying thereof, and also, when subjected to the pressure of the two pressing members, assist in gripping the garment and thereby prevent it from shrinking on the form.

It is now understood that my improved garment press comprises jaws 2 and 3 between which the work is treated, and that any suitable form ofgarment conveyor is mounted on a track or other guide means to carry the work into and out of the press jaws from end-to-end thereof. The work conveyor consists, as for example, of the track or other guide means 7 on which the carriage 9 moves or travels to carry the garment forms f back and forth into and out of the press jaws. The conveyor guide means, represented by track 7, is adjacent and parallel to the jaws.

As one work holding set or unit 8, which includes a plurality of form 7, moves into the jaws from one end thereof and remains stationary and is pressed thereby, the other work holding set or unit 8 moves out of the other end of the press and also remains -stationary to permit removal of the pressed work and reloading with new work to be pressed. Each work holding unit travels out of the press in a direction reverse to that in which it traveled into the press and from the same end thereof. Thus an operators time is efficiently employed since he does not have idle moments during the pressing operation and the conveyor does not occupy excess. or any appreciable amount of space because it moves into and out of the press jaws in a back and forth or reverse motion.

lVithout further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the ist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various utilizations by retaining one or more of the features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be, and are intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

Having thus revealed this invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations and elements, or equivalents thereof, by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A garment pressing machine comprising opposed pressing members; a track located at one side of said presser member and extending later-all beyond opposite sides thereof; and a pair of garment supporting units, each of which is provided with a plurality of garment forms, slidable on said track; said units being arranged end-to-end and adapted to be moved together; and means, operative upon a predetermined movement of said units, to swing one of said units relatively to the other.

2. A garment pressing machine comprising opposed pressing members; a track located at one side of said members; a plurality of aligned carriages slidably mounted on said track; a series of garment-forms pivotally supported upon each of said carriages and means operative upon extreme move ment of said carriages in either direction to swing one of said series relatively to the other. i

3. In a garment pressing machine, a workholder comprising a carriage, a track on which said carriage is slidably mounted; a rod journaled in said carriage; a garmentform, supported by a swivel connection between said garment-form and said rod; and means to oscillate said rod to elevate said garment-form.

4. A garment-pressing machine comprising opposed pressing members; a guide located at one side of said members; a carriage slidably supported on said guide; a plurality of garment forms hinged at one end only to said carriage, and means carried by the carriage for limrtlng the downward movement of the free ends of said garment forms.

5. A pressing machine for garments and the like comprising in combination cooperating pressing members, a pair of garment carrier units placed. end to end, a track supporting the carrier units and serving to direct the units to and from the pressing members, and a swivel coupling connectlng together the pair of carrier units so that one unit may be swung out of pressing position for loading and unloading purposes while the other unit remains in the pressing members.

6. A pressing machine comprising in com bination, cooperating pressing members, a garment carrier embodying a plurality of forms, a second carrier embodying a plurality of forms, means supporting both carriers and guiding the forms in and out of the press, said carriers adapted to be moved into the press and reversed in direction in withdrawing from the press, and means connecting the separate carriers which causes one to move the other laterally in and out of the press but permit one garment carrier to be pivoted relativelyto the other for loading and unloading.

7. A pressing machine comprising in combination cooperating pressing jaws a single track rail disposed alongslde the pressing.

jaws, a carriagemember, a roller journaled on the carriage member and, placed on the track, arms forming a part of the carriage member and depending to either side of the track, rollers mounted on the lower ends of the arms and bearing on the side of the track to hold the carriage member in place, and a plurality of garment forms mounted on the carrier.

8. A pressing machine comprising in combination cooperating pressing jaws, a single track rail disposed alongside the pressing jaws, a carriage member, a roller journaled on the carriage member and placed on the track, arms forming a part of the carriage member and depending to either side of the track, rollers mounted on the lower ends of the arms and bearing on the side of the track to hold the carriage member in place, a pairof garment carriers mounted on the carriagemember, means connecting the carriers together causing them to move together in and out of the press, and a connection forming part of the aforesaid means which enables one garment carrier to be pivotally swung in relation to the other for loading and unloading purposes.

9. A pressing machine comprising in combination cooperating pressing aws, a single track rail disposed alongside the pressing aws, a carriage member, a roller journaled on the carriage member and placed on the track, arms forming a part of the carriage member and depending to either side of the track, rollers mounted on the lower ends of the arms and bearing on the side of the track to hold the carriage member in place, a plurality of garment forms mounted on the carrier, and means mounted on the carriage member to support the garment forms,

when swung down to position ready to move into the pressing members.

10. A garment press comprising press jaws and operating means to open and close the press, two carriages and garment forms attached thereto, a shaft mounted in each carriage carrying said forms, means supporting the carriages for travel into and out of the press and means permitting the garment forms to swing out of pressing position, and two spaced devices mounted on the supporting means to automatically rotate each shaft and swing the forms into loading and unloading position convenient to the operator when a carriage travels out of the press into engagement with one of the devices.

11. A garment press as defined in claim 10 wherein the two spaced devices constitute cams, and means on each carriage which engages a cam to swing the forms out of normal pressing position 12. A press comprising, cooperating press jaws, conveyor means to carry work into the press jaws and reverse its direction and move the pressed work out of the jaws from the same end at which it enters; said conveyor including a guide means mounted proximate the press jaws, and work holding forms a number of which are adapted as a unit to travel on the guide means and pass into the press jaws and remain stationary therein to be pressed, while the remaining work holding forms are adapted as another unit to pass out of the press jaws and remain stationary outside of the press to give up the pressed work carried thereby and receive new work.

13. A press comprising cooperating press jaws, conveyor means to carry work into the press jaws and adapted to reverse its direction and move the pressedwork out of the jaws in a direction opposite to that from which it enters, said conveyor including a guide means mounted proximate the press jaws, and work holding forms a number of which are adapted as a unit to travel on the guide means and pass into the press jaws and remain stationary therein to be pressed, while.

the remaining work holding forms are adapted as another unit to pass out of the press jaws and remain stationary outside of the press to give up the pressed work carried thereby and receive new work, said guide means consisting of a support on which the conveyor travels, and said units consisting of straight rods on which the work holding forms are attached.

14. In a press, a frame and jaws thereon, a rod and a plurality of garment forms carried in a row by the rod, and means movably supporting the rod whereby the forms are adapted ,to be moved into position between the jaws and reversely therefrom in the opposite direction to remove the forms from the press.

15. In a press, a frame and jaws thereon, a pair of rods, work holding forms attached in a row to the rods, and means proximate the jaws for movably supporting the rods and forms, whereby each set of forms is movable into pressing position between the jaws and reversely therefrom in the opposite direction to remove the forms from the press.

16. Apparatus for finishing hosiery and the like comprising coacting heated press plates defining therebetween a drying zone into which the work is received, a horizontally disposed lengthwise carrier, means operatively supporting the carrier for a back and forth movement, said carrier including a rodlike member and made about twice the length of a press plate, a set of work forms mounted in line on each half portion of the carrier, whereby travel of the carrier in one direction moves one set of forms into the zone and simultaneously moves the other set out of the zone.

17. Apparatus for finishing hosiery and i attached to each rod-like member of the car rier whereby one set is in the drying zone while the other set is outside of the zone.

18. In apparatus for finishing hosiery and the like comprising coacting heated press jaws forming therebetween a drying zone for the work, a horizontally disposed carrier, means to confine the travel of the carrier to the plane of the drying zone, means operatively supporting the carrier for travel in opposite directions, two separate sets of work holding forms attached to the carrier whereby one set is in the drying zone while the other set is outside thereof, said forms being disposed at an angle to the horizontal for convenience in placing and removing work on and off of the forms, and the carrier travelling in one direction to move one set of forms into the zone and the other set out of the zone and reversely to effect the same change of position of the work forms.

19. In apparatus for finishing hosiery and the like comprising coacting heated press jaws forming therebetween a drying zone for the work, a horizontally disposed carrier, means to confine the travel of the carrier to the plane of the drying zone, means operatively supporting the carrier for travel in opposite directions, two separate sets of work holding forms attached to the carrier whereby one set is in the drying zone while the other set is outside thereof, said forms being disposed in a vertical'position for loading and unloading the work on the forms, the carrier travelling in one direction to push out of the zone that set which was in the zone and hence move into the zone that set which was out, and said carrier travelling in the reverse direc- 1 tion to move the outside set back into the zone from the same end of the jaws from which it left the zone and hence move the inside set back out of the zone from the same end of the jaws from which it entered.

' 20. Apparatus for drying hosiery and the like comprising, in combination, a drying zone formed between heated plates, a horizontally extending slidable member, two

sets of work forms mounted in line on said member and means standing them uprightly outside the zone,'the sets of forms being re spectively so mounted that one of the sets of forms lies horizontally within said drying zone while the other is outside thereof, and

means to reciprocate said member to withdraw the forms within said zone from one end and enter the forms without said zone from the opposite end.

,20 21. Drying apparatus comprising a drying zone, a carrier, means for imparting reciprocating movement to the carrier, and a plurality of sets of work-holding'forms extending in the same direction relative to each.

other, one of said sets of work forms being arranged to enter said zone when another set is withdrawn therefrom by movement of the carrier in one direction, the second mentioned set being arranged to enter said zone 80when the first mentioned set is withdrawn therefrom by an opposite movement of the -carrier, and cam means in the plane of the drying zone to lift one set of work-holding forms to upright position.

22. Drying apparatus comprising a drying zone, a carrler, track means on which said carrier runs, means for imparting reciprocating movement to the carrier, and a plurality of sets of hosiery forms extending in the same direction relative to each other, one

of said sets being arranged to enter said, chamber when another is withdrawn there from by movement of the carrier in one direction, and the second mentioned set being arranged to enter said chamber when the first mentioned set is withdrawn therefrom by an opposite movement of the carrier, and cam means at each end of the track means to elevate a set of forms when the latter moves out so of the zone.

In witness whereof, we hereunto subscribe our names.

JULIUS OTTO VON STETTEN. OTTO U. HOFMANN. 

